Perry Ellis International, Inc. Concludes License Agreement For Surf/Skate/Ski Brand Gotcha With Partner In North Africa

Perry Ellis International, Inc. announced today that it has entered into a license agreement with Kennek FZE in North Africa to source and distribute a full range of products from surf boards and wetsuits to casual wear and footwear under the Gotcha® brand.  Kennek plans to open eight Gotcha mono-brand stores in Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria in the next four years and further African expansion on a franchise basis in the future with the first launch in November 2018.

The Gotcha brand turned surf style into a phenomenon by following a strict code of freestyling, fashion and fun.  Influential, integral and iconic, Gotcha celebrates those who break the rules, take risks and embrace action sports, surfing, skateboarding or snowboarding. With authentically innovative products featuring trend-setting graphics and an exuberant use of color, Gotcha created a global culture of adventure and experimentation.

Perry Ellis International, Inc. CEO and President Oscar Feldenkreis remarked, "Our company is pleased to enter into a partnership with Kennek to maximize the potential of the Gotcha brand in North Africa.  We feel Kennek will be a terrific partner and are excited about the prospects of being in North Africa which falls in line with our plans to extend our business reach."

"We at Kennek are very proud and excited to join the Gotcha family and showcase the Gotcha brand's action sports legacy.  We look forward to expanding the Gotcha brand with franchises throughout Africa and seeing the success of the Gotcha brand in North Africa in the years ahead," said Mamoun Tadili, CEO of Kennek FZE.  

Perry Ellis International, Inc. is a leading designer, distributor and licensor of a broad line of high quality men's and women's apparel, accessories and fragrances. The Company's collection of dress and casual shirts, golf sportswear, sweaters, dress pants, casual pants and shorts, jeans wear, active wear, dresses and men's and women's swimwear is available through all major levels of retail distribution. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, owns a portfolio of nationally and internationally recognized brands, including: Perry Ellis, An Original Penguin by Munsingwear, Laundry by Shelli Segal, Rafaella, Cubavera, Ben Hogan, Savane, Grand Slam, John Henry, Manhattan, Axist, Jantzen and Farah. The Company enhances its roster of brands by licensing trademarks from third parties, including: Nike and Jag for swimwear, and Callaway, PGA Tour, and Jack Nicklaus for golf apparel and Guy Harvey for performance fishing and resort wear. 

Kennek FZE, based in Casablanca, operates as a sourcing and retail business with specialty in sourcing and retailing surf and skate product.  Most recently, Kennek Distribution Company has been the manufacturer and distributor in North Africa for brands including Billabong, Elements, O'Neil and Rip Curl.